Dave Nicholls is mechanical fitter that has been in and out of the
mining game for the last 30 years. This lifetime of experience has
LED to one bright idea.
These days Dave works for WorkPac at Coal & Allied’s HVO mine and for the
last few years while conducting maintenance on the site’s skid lights an idea
was slowly forming to design and build an improved version.
The currently used lighting system is getting on in years and Dave felt that it
just wasn’t cutting it in today’s safety and environmentally conscious climate.
Pinch points, globe failures and excessive maintenance means production
slows down and safety risks are raised. Working on the lights allowed Dave to
see first-hand what needed to be improved and to find the solution.
Dave has designed and built his own Skid Lighting Plant for use in open cut
mines using the latest technology. LED lights, fully automated timer systems
and low voltage are just a few of the design perks of the skid. The result; the
skid light is safer, requires less maintenance, reduces emissions and noise
and can have huge cost savings.
With the option of running predominately on batteries and the use of LED
lights, it means that the skid light is a viable product for mines looking to move
into a more renewable future.
Countless hours, hard work and passion, and the support of his wife
Kelly and children Milahn, Luca and Freya, have seen Dave’s idea turned
into a reality.
HVO’s mine maintenance management are among those impressed with this
innovative skid light and as soon as the engineering certificate is finalised a
trial will be held on site.
David is looking forward to seeing his skid being recognised and hopefully
implemented on sites Australia wide. Then every miner’s day will be lit up a
little brighter.